Robert L. Millender Sr. facts for kids
Robert L. Millender Sr. (born 1916, died 1978) was a very important person in the city of Detroit. He was a lawyer who worked hard to make things fair for everyone. He was also an activist who fought for civil rights. Mr. Millender is best known for helping more African Americans get important leadership jobs in politics.
Who Was Robert L. Millender Sr.?
Robert Millender Sr. was a skilled lawyer. He used his legal knowledge to help people and to make changes in his community. He believed that all people should have a fair chance to be leaders.
Helping Others in Politics
As a young lawyer, Robert Millender was very good at helping people run for office. He successfully managed the campaigns of many African-American politicians. A political campaign is when someone tries to get elected to a government job. Mr. Millender helped these leaders connect with voters.
Some of the most famous people he helped include:
- Richard Austin, who became the Secretary of State. This job involves managing many important state records and elections.
- John Conyers, who became a Congressman. A Congressman works in the United States Congress to make laws for the country.
- Coleman Young, who became the Mayor of Detroit. The Mayor is the main leader of a city.
Remembering Robert Millender's Legacy
People still remember Robert L. Millender Sr. for his important work.
- The University of Rochester created the Millender Fellowship in his honor. A fellowship helps students pay for their studies.
- Wayne State University holds the Robert L. and Louise Millender Memorial Lecture. This is a special talk given each year to remember him and his wife.
- In the early 1980s, a large building complex in Detroit was named the Millender Center. This was done to honor his many contributions to the city.
